Deep connect

At the world premiere of her passion project First They Killed My Father in Cambodia, Angelina Jolie referenced her deep connection to the place, since it is where her first child, Maddox, is from.

“I cannot find words to express what it means to me that I was entrusted with telling part of the story of this country,” she said.

“This film was not made to focus on the horrors of the past, but to celebrate the resilience, kindness and talent of the Cambodian people.” The 41-year-old also said that the film is her way of thanking the nation.

“Without Cambodia I may never have become a mother. Part of my heart is and will always be in this country. And part of this country is always with me: Maddox.” The 15-year-old, who was involved in the film’s production, himself took centre stage when he spoke to audience, saying: “Thank you everyone for attending tonight. We finally made it. It’s a great honour to present this film to all of you, and to stand by my mother and my family. And now I’d like to introduce my little sister Shiloh, as she has something to say.”

His little sister then stepped up to the microphone and told the crowd in Khmer: “My name is Shiloh and I love Cambodia.” Jolie made her first official public post-split appearance on Saturday when she attended a press event for the film where she brought along all her kids, Maddox, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, eight.

The By the Sea star has kept away from the public eye since she filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in September. The two are currently engaged in a custody battle over their six children. — ANI